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Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson works out with the CFL Alouettes – and hits Twitter

Stephanie Myles

There may be no happier kid in the Montreal Alouettes' Florida mini-camp this week than 36-year-old Chad Johnson.

"I'm like a kid again. Had the same giddy feeling, the same butterflies," Johnson told the assembled media at fabled Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. after the second day of a three-day camp Wednesday. "I feel good. I'm nowhere where any of these guys are as far as the nuances of this (Canadian) game. Just look forward to getting better each day, see what happens.

There are some issues with bringing Johnson to Montreal, even though Johnson Tweeted today that he'll arrive June 1. But according to team G.M. Jim Popp, age isn't one of them.

"He's in great shape. Weren't we counting on a star quarterback in his 40s until last year?" Popp told the Journal de Montréal. "He has super-quick footwork. His routes are dynamic. He's still capable of making big plays. He reminds me of a home-run hitter."

If it were up to him, Popp said. he'd offer Johnson a contract and he'd be headed to Lennoxville, Que. in early June to take part in the official training camp. But some factors are out of the Alouettes' control – most notably getting a Canadian work visa for him. Popp said those things always depend on who handles the application.

Veteran American NFL reporter Jason La Canfora says the honchos are impressed.

Johnson – the man formerly known as Ochocinco – had no issues with his jersey number. The Alouettes player who had it, Ismael Bamba, now reportedly wears No. 80.

Click here to see video of Johnson's full media scrum after his first day of mini-camp.

Johnson was accused of conjugal violence in a nasty 2012 case that basically scuttled his all-star, 12-year NFL career. He's not getting ahead of himself and considering the opportunity a stepping stone back to the NFL, rather looking at it as a second chance that many people don't get, and an opportunity to once again do what he loves to do.

"To be the best Chad I can be – be the best Chad for the Alouettes, for the city itself – I have to study this game," he said.

Quebec player Marc-Olivier Brouillette told the Journal that Johnson didn't show up to camp big-leaguing everyone. "He acts like all the other players," Brouillette said. "He didn't drive up at the wheel of a Lamborghini! He's a good guy."

"It's football. It's not about Montreal. it's about playing football again. I made a horrible mistake. and a dream of mine since I was four years old was taken from me, rightly so. I just just want to get back to doing something I love to do," Johnson told the media. "My entire situation was a wake-up call. Not that I ever really got complacent, but I got a little too comfortable. I'm back doing what I love to do, regardless of where it is.

"I knew what I had. That's why the played the game the way I did. I took advantage of every moment, every snap. Unfortunately I had one boneheaded mistake that cost me. It was stupid. Doesn't get any worse than that," Johnson added. "I need to pick up where I left off."

For more photos of Ochocinco scrimmaging on Wednesday, click here.

Meanwhile, the relentless Tweeter and Instagrammer (nice move there), hasn't slowed down much.